Vacuum extractor



May 14, 1935. D, GEssNER VACUUM EXTRACTOR Filed oct. 30, 1935 Patented May 154, 1935 VACUUM EXTRACTOR David Gessner, Worcester, Mass.

Application October 30,

4 Claims.

This invention relates to machines by which water is extracted `from wet cloth by passing the cloth over a slot or elongated opening in la vac- 1111111. 12111D6101', other vacuum member. These machines are used to extract moisture from cloth of different widths, and the cloth in passing through the machine weaves more or less from side to side, particularly when drawn from a truck on which the cloth has been deposited in folds. The length of the slot or opening must therefore be long enough to take care of the widest material on which the machine will operate and also to take care of the weaving or side-toside travel of this widest material. Obviously, when operating on narrower goods, the end portions of the slot will be uncovered, permitting a free rush of air therethrough and thus greatly increasing the power consumption of the machine and decreasing the emciency of the extraction.

It is the general object of my invention to provide improved means for closing those end portions of the vacuum slot not covered by the cloth passing through the extractor.

A further object is to provide closing means which will be self-adjusting to slot-closing position in all transverse positions of the cloth and for all widths of cloth.

My invention further relates to arrangements and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred form of the invention is shown in the drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of a vacuum tube and associated parts, together with my improved slotclosing devices;

Fig. 2 is a partial plan view, looking in the direction of the arrow l2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial isometric view of certain parts, partly in section along the line 3-'3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View, 4-4 in Fig. 1,'

Figs. 5 and 6 are partial taken along the lines 5-5 spectively, and

Fig. 'I is a transverse sectional elevation, taken along the line 'I-I in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, I have shown -portions of a vacuum extractor comprising a frame 20 and supporting brackets 2| in which is mounted a vacuum tube or pipe 22. The pipe 22 is held in adjusted position in the brackets 2| by a plurality of set screws 23 (Fig. 7) and may be protaken along the line sectional elevations, and 6-6 in Fig. 2 re- I 1933, Serial lNth. 695,945

vided with a cap 24 at one end andiwith a .connection, 25 at the other end to a.y vacuum'pump or.v other air-exhausting mechanism. i

The vacuum tube 22 is provided with an open-f ing 2 (Fig. 3) extending lengthwise thereof and `5 covered by a mouth-piece 2t secured toy the tube 22 by a plurality of screws 25. A slot 30 extends lengthwise of the mouth-piece 2li but the extreme end portions of the mouth-piece aresolid as indicated at 3| in Fig. 4.

The slot Sli communicates with an enlarged longitudinal opening or recess 32 (Fig. 3), which in turn communicates with the opening 2l in the vacuum tube 22. The parts thus far described are substantially of the usual construction.

A cross bar it is secured at its ends to upwardly extending parts of the brackets 2| and is provided at the center of its length with an upstanding plate 4i supporting a pair of studs 42 (Fig. 2) on which are pivoted a pair of links 63. Each link #i3 is provided at its free end with a plug 41| pivoted thereto and snugly tting the interior of a section of soft rubber tube t5. Clamps 46 are preferably provided for firmly securing the tube sections on the plugs. 5

The other or outer ends of the rubber tubes 45 extend through circular openings 50 in the brackets 2| and are provided at their outer ends with plugs 52 and clamps 53. The clamps 53 abut the outer faces of the brackets 2| and may ber adjusted on the rubber tubes l5 and plugs 52 to provide any desired tension on the tubes.` The tubes i5 are so positioned that `they are aligned with the vacuum slot 3@ and directly above'the same. 35

When the machine is in operation, the rubber tubes i5 closely overlie the end portions of the slot 35 except Where separated therefrom by the cloth C. Atthe same time they yield readily to` permit side travel of the cloth or to adapt the machine to cloth of greater width.

Furthermore, the circular cross section and yielding nature of the tubes is such that a seam or other obstructionV on the cloth will-pass readily under the tubes without injury thereto or displacement thereof.

Should a tube become worn or injured, it may be readily replaced at slight expense and may be suitably tensioned by its clamping collar 53.

I have thus provided an exceedingly simple but effective means for closing the end portions ofy an elongated vacuum slot while at the same time permitting use of the machine on fabrics of different widths and lalso accommodating side travel of the fabric.

- @Fl-'ICE Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim isz- 1. In an extractor, a vacuum member having a longitudinally extended slot, a continuous section of soft rubber tube overlying each end portion of said slot, means to support and transversely position the outer end of each tube section-beyond the associated end of said slot, and additional means to support the inner ends of said tube sections at points spaced upwardly from said vacuum member.

2. In an extractor, a vacuum member4 having a longitudinally extended slot, a continuous section of softrubber tube overlying each end portion of said slot, fixed supports having openings therein for the outer end portionsv oi lsaid rubber tube sections, means to support the inner ends of said tube sections in positions spaced upwardly from said vacuum member, and clamping devices effective to hold said tube sections in said supports and to tension said tube sections against said supports. i Y

, 2,001,417 iii-lli 3. In an extractor, a vacuum member having a longitudinally extended slot, a continuous section of soft rubber tube overlying each end portion of said slot, i'lxed supports having openings therein for the outer end portions of said rubber tube sections, a centrally positioned fixed frame element, links connecting the inner end of said tube sections to said frame element, and clamping devices eiective to hold said tube sections tensioned against said supports.

4. I n an extractonfa vacuum member having a longitudinally extended slot, a continuous section orsoft rubber tube overlying each end portion of saidslot,` xed supports having openings therein for the outer end portionsof said rubber tube sections, and clamping devices effective to hold said vtube sections tensioned against said supports,

each tube section having a longitudinally extendedlplug within its outer end portion to oppose the pressure ofits clampingldevice and said plugs and clamping devices increasingfthe downvvardpressure of said tubesections on the endportions of4l` said slot.

DAVID GESSNER. 

